Guest Blogged by Arlen Parsa of The Daily Background
Recently, John McCain gave an interview to a religious website called Beliefnet. The only topic of conversation was religion. At right is a short mashup of the most egregious moments from the interview.
As you can imagine, it’s created, um, a bit of a hubbub. And rightfully so- the New York Times ran the headline McCain Casts Muslims as Less Fit to Lead; Carpetbagger went with McCain sees Constitution establishing a ‘Christian nation.’
In brief statement issued by his campaign, McCain is hoping to clear up any confusion. “I would vote for a Muslim if he or she was the candidate best able to lead the country and defend our political values,” the Senator is quoted as now saying.
And yet, as can clearly be seen in the above video, McCain states the following about what he thinks the number one prerequisite for being president should be:
And yet now he claims that he’d be okay with voting for a Muslim candidate?
As Steven Benen says today at TPM, apparently the Senator “was for discrimination before he was against it.”
Breathless Blackberries
McCain’s doin’ it, Armey’s doin’ it…the buzz in communications consulting seems to be to tell out-of-touch politicians to “go viral”…to seem hip by cleverly using, ahem, New Media…
Emanuel’s doin’ it too. At 6:32 AM this morning his DCCC money plea was “Sent Wirelessly Via Blackberry”. From a no-reply email address, of course. My reply:
Hi Rahm “no-reply” Emanuel,
I know it’s Sunday, and like any other day, I know you won’t waste any time paying attention to me. You don’t know me, I like to speak frankly.
First, this breathless “Sent Wirelessly Via Blackberry” schtick only drives me away from a contribution to the DCCC.
Second, and more importantly…here’s the REALITY CHECK: Even if next November’s election was “in the bag”, you and the 86 or so so-called Democrats listed *here* (http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2007/roll425.xml#Y) would continue my resolve NOT to respond to your request for funds.
Which is why the DCCC, or any other Democratic Party organization (say, the Colorado State Democratic Party), will not be getting any of my money until the feet-of-clay mentality you buy and sell with that money is eliminated.
DCCC money supports get-along go-along DINO-ism. I support making DINO-ism extinct — in my lifetime!
Wake up and stay awake long enough to convince me you’ve gotten the message…
THEN, if you want, send me a “Breathless Blackberry” that shows me you’ve really gotten the message… THEN, I’ll write you a check. A Reality check. And so will millions of others.
Crazy old fart.
It’s very sad that people buy into this! Our country was founded on religious freedom and separation of church and state. We have digressed!
It is typical that a politician would use religious affiliation to his advantage. It is not a new concept. However, a truly holy man would never assume that his religious choice would enable him to be more qualified than the next candidate. This is not something McCain got from the teachings of the humble servant of God, Jesus. And, by the way, McCain, Islamicists also regard Jesus in high esteem. They are aware of his teachings, and even name their children after him. Rest assured, McCain, the religion of Christianity has survived thus far without you and will continue to survive after your short-lived legacy has ended. What are you? 70 years old now?